[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6182831,"mediaKeyId","5103004-cfaf3976e9cc7600166b4f3d1fde240a","parentId",5103004,"title","Norwalk continues multiple zoning enforcement cases covering unpermitted apartments, sheds and permit requirements to July 30","audioSeconds",2102,"startMs",250000,"endMs",2352000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5103004-cfaf3976e9cc7600166b4f3d1fde240a&start=250&end=2352","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5103004-cfaf3976e9cc7600166b4f3d1fde240a/thumbnail_250000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182831/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-continues-multiple-zoning-enforcement-cases-covering-unpermitted-apartments-sheds-and-permit-requirements-to-July-30","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182831-b66f85302c91cbb3c7a2cae2380004bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213475&Signature=WLEalvqr0qrF-ZbcWx8toXDzxKZsoLugnVQwgwqJL-IOLFiqhrI8gM51YyMOv~42Uq8VaVJMo8XhCV9HXzp7P3B~idN7UAzLFIjSvYBc5xrf0-ipWJjtABbgmRldnzSXNcAy-As7OM1XIYoDGOK8D94no9998qnT8WJrPQDeJmeii3tS3u-kF9NYMrhYbXdGArMbeWrXBtu9CpizjKwOD8iM7iyXbF~zQOwzkymXxsrvLNR8~~zeMflGFqSdenjpTHvidKVdQSe6kH9MYL49nBZVTPE3PtMAk4OyJMCjICVkTkpzNcdHckK~78-HtnjeFjqhr24lqx5idoTJf89-ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-06-30T17:41:42.093Z","article","NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk planning and zoning staff and the hearing officer continued multiple property enforcement matters to July 30, 2025, after hearings June 25 that largely left parties time to complete permit applications, inspections and surveys.

Why this matters: Neighbors and staff flagged continuing concerns about illegal rental units, unpermitted construction and nonconforming accessory uses — issues that affect parking, neighborhood character and safety. The hearing combined case-by-case updates with repeated direction that owners must secure building permits, inspections and, where required, certificates of zoning compliance.

Key case outcomes and next steps
- 8 Dover Street: The owner’s attorney, who said he was recently appointed executor after a probate process, told the hearing he would file permits to remove unpermitted basement units and bring the property into compliance and requested 30 days to do so. The hearing was continued to July 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. to allow permit filing and follow-up inspection. Attorney Lothoris said, “I intend to file now that I can, for the permits and to bring them, issues into full compliance.”

- 47 Woodward Avenue: Staff reported new direct email contact from Denison surveyors and from the project architect that morning; the hearing was continued to July 30 to allow the property owners to submit three full-size sets of the survey and architectural plans and to file a formal application. Staff asked the parties to schedule a meeting with the zoning office once plans are ready.

- 46 Elmwood Avenue: Staff described a history that began with a renovation permit for basement work; after the inspectors performed final work and prepared a certificate of zoning compliance, staff received a complaint and online advertisement showing the basement advertised for rent with matching interior photos and the appearance of a third mailbox. Staff issued a citation on June 16, 2025; neighbors testified that the ad used a different nearby address, alerting them to the rental offering. The hearing was continued to July 30 to allow additional process and potential inspections.

- 48 Elmwood Avenue (sheds and storage): The property applied to remove five nonconforming sheds, removed two and proposed three replacement sheds in conforming locations supported by a new survey; staff approved the shed-permit application subject to Department of Public Works review for drainage. Staff reported ongoing noncompliant contractor equipment and potential commercial storage in the rear yard; the inspector said the sheds themselves will not remain in violation once properly installed, but that the rear-yard storage and contractor equipment must be removed and the property re-inspected. The inspector said a tentative fine of $10,000 was being considered to prompt completion and cleanup but characterized it as tentative pending July follow-up.

- 6 Lincoln: An application to remove unpermitted basement apartments was recorded as approved by staff two days before the hearing; the building-permit step remained to be completed. The hearing was continued to July 30 to allow permit submittal, payment and scheduling of the required building inspection.

What neighbors and staff emphasized
- Neighbors repeatedly said their principal concern was the existence of unpermitted apartments and the strain those uses place on narrow streets and parking. David Westmoreland, a neighbor, told the hearing his wife found a Facebook Marketplace ad that used a different nearby address and said the listing matched interior features the inspectors had documented. “My wife saw the ad,” Westmoreland said.
- Staff repeatedly told the hearing that the city’s normal compliance path is filing the proper permit application, completing inspections and, if exterior or interior work is acceptable, issuing a certificate of zoning compliance — or, if violations are found, pursuing fines and further enforcement.

Process and timeline
- For several cases the hearing officer set July 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. as the next status date and directed staff to inspect once permits or applications are filed. Where a permit application had already been approved by staff (for example in some shed or removal applications), staff said a building permit and final inspection remained the next step before issuing a certificate of zoning compliance.
- Staff told owners to provide full‑size paper sets of surveys and architectural plans (three sets) and to meet with staff two weeks after submitting plans to confirm the application and next steps.

The record does not show final civil fines in most cases; instead, the hearings largely resulted in continuations to allow permit filing and inspections. One inspector described considering a tentative $10,000 fine for prolonged noncompliance at 48 Elmwood; the hearing officer characterized that number as tentative and asked for a status update in July.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Zoning Citation Hearings 06-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Norwalk planning and zoning continued multiple enforcement matters involving unpermitted basement units, accessory structures and noncompliant parking to July 30, 2025, while staff directed owners to file permits, submit surveys and schedule inspections.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6182837,"Norwalk hearing imposes $15,000 fine on 336 Westport vape shop after repeated code violations and police raid",2083,1095000,3178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5103004-cfaf3976e9cc7600166b4f3d1fde240a&start=1095&end=3178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5103004-cfaf3976e9cc7600166b4f3d1fde240a/thumbnail_1095000.jpg","/articles/6182837/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-hearing-imposes-15000-fine-on-336-Westport-vape-shop-after-repeated-code-violations-and-police-raid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182837-5b8c57ace25e5c075c2d7ee2cb81a483/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213475&Signature=VqTcQquriJZOn1Q-x4nPBstH-5fZee4MsC5Xh6tytnQZ-MwSNPenAO6KE0N6maOp1lmCl9QpraBGgv1bJNm~FAe~RlzJBXBA5zHJuigfhWiVshA3HbImF4vHU1vtC~t3ChLwF8Xwz8RDgpy0DJgip2vyxqE7WGoVDXoB3m-7YYq0Zl-12SZWmbh4Uj2m2o-WASObIBWPkQirAjD6OByIIYPIt6RFjhtsbk0SFILfK9zmGaOB4KXpstVz3qIrPSMrih9cGLFBUMf4mCqczV9aODtV5tQAywQ-2M41ELN-nc5WNAsAsOP40ZD1xd5LRmGYCxh0sA1l2H9vHtst0JL9xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","NORWALK, Conn. — The Norwalk hearing officer imposed a $15,000 fine on 336 Westport LLC at a Planning & Zoning citation hearing on June 25, 2025, after city staff described repeated operation of a vape/tobacco storefront without required approvals and a police raid earlier that morning that produced bags of marijuana, nitrous oxide and other controlled substances.

City zoning staff told the hearing the business has been the subject of repeated enforcement actions dating to March 2025 and had previously received a $7,500 fine earlier this year. “This violation has been ongoing since March 5,” the staff report said during the hearing; the hearing officer marked the record and concluded the city would assess $15,000 based on the duration of noncompliance and the prior enforcement history. The hearing officer said, “Okay. $15,000. Okay.”

Why this matters: The case raises public-safety and regulatory concerns because the property was reported operating without a proper fit-up or business permit, within separation limits that city rules now impose on stand-alone vape/tobacco shops, and because staff reported a same-day police action. The enforcement action folds together land-use violations and public-safety evidence gathered by police.

What staff reported and the city’s basis for the fine
- City staff said the location had been operating “without permits” and had failed to secure a fit-up approval; staff noted an earlier enforcement action and a $7,500 fine this year for essentially the same violations. The citation that led to the June 25 hearing was issued after repeated complaints and follow-up inspections.
- Staff reported that the business had submitted a fit-up application that “could not be approved as submitted” and that the site was the subject of prior continuing proceedings. Staff said the store’s fit-up application had been communicated back to the applicant on May 29 for revision.
- During the hearing staff said they learned the business was “raided by the police this morning, and they found bags of marijuana and nitrous oxide and other drugs.” That reporting formed part of the hearing record; staff also said the location had not requested a hearing in response to the underlying citation.

Enforcement outcome and next steps
- The hearing officer set the fine at $15,000 at the hearing and placed that amount on the record, citing the length of the ongoing violation since March and the prior enforcement history.
- Staff noted the case file includes police documentation of the morning’s raid; the record will be updated with any further criminal-procedure outcomes from law enforcement.
- At the hearing staff said they are working to place fines on the property tax bill where appropriate and to continue administrative enforcement channels if compliance is not achieved.

What the record does not show
- The property owner or an attorney for 336 Westport LLC did not present testimony at the hearing and did not directly address the city’s characterization of the police activity during the administrative proceeding. Statements about the police action were made on the record by city staff and the hearing officer; the transcript does not include direct remarks from law enforcement in the hearing itself.

The hearing record and next scheduled appearance
- The citation file and police materials were accepted into the hearing record by the officer. The transcript indicates the matter was adjudicated at the June 25 session with the $15,000 fine recorded; the city will proceed with its administrative collection and enforcement processes.","At a June 25 Norwalk zoning citation hearing, the hearing officer imposed a $15,000 fine on 336 Westport LLC for operating without required approvals and for repeated violations; staff reported a police raid the same morning that yielded controlled substances.","actionData","errors"]

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Norwalk continues multiple zoning enforcement cases covering unpermitted apartments, sheds and permit requirements to July 30

Norwalk hearing imposes $15,000 fine on 336 Westport vape shop after repeated code violations and police raid